Stereo display and image display method thereof

ABSTRACT

A stereo display includes a display panel, a first polarizer modulator disposed above the display panel, and a second polarizer modulator disposed above the first polarizer modulator. The second polarizer modulator includes a first lens set, a second lens set opposite to the first lens set, a polarization material, and a birefringent material. An angle between an extending direction of the first lens set and an extending direction of the second lens set is not 0 or 180 degrees. The polarization material is between the first lens set and the second lens set. The birefringent material is disposed in at least one of the first lens set and the second lens set.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan applicationserial no. 99132638, filed Sep. 27, 2010. The entirety of theabove-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by referenceherein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The disclosure is related to a stereo display and to an operating methodthereof, and in particular to a stereo display which is capable ofproviding a 2D display mode, a 3D portrait display mode, and a 3Dlandscape display mode and to an image display method thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

Currently, stereo display technologies may be generally classified asauto-stereoscopic, in which the viewer views with the naked eye, or asstereoscopic, in which glasses of specific designs must be worn forviewing. The operating principle of auto-stereoscopic display is that afixed optical grating is used to control images viewed by the left eyeand right eye of the viewer. According to visual characteristics of thehuman eye, when the left and right eyes respectively view two imageswhich have the same image content but different parallax, the human eyeinterprets the two overlapping images as a stereo image. The operatingprinciple of stereoscopic display is that a display displays images forthe left and right eyes; the images are selected by stereoscopic glassesto be respectively viewed by the left and right eyes, so as to generatestereo vision.

In addition, many current displays are able to provide a portraitdisplay mode and a landscape display mode. However, the above displayswhich are able to provide the portrait display mode and the landscapedisplay mode are limited to 2D display mode displays. Currently, nostereo display is able to provide a 3D portrait display mode and a 3Dlandscape display mode at the same time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure provides a stereo display and an operating method thereofwhich are capable of providing a 2D display mode, a 3D portrait displaymode, and a 3D landscape display mode.

The disclosure provides a stereo display which includes a display panel,a first polarizer modulator, and a second polarizer modulator. The firstpolarizer modulator is disposed above the display panel. The secondpolarizer modulator is disposed above the first polarizer modulator andincludes a first lens set, a second lens set, a polarization material,and a first birefringent material. The first lens set and the secondlens set are opposite to each other, and an angle which is not 0 or 180degrees is included between an extending direction of the first lens setand an extending direction of the second lens set. The polarizationmaterial is disposed between the first lens set and the second lens set.The first birefringent material is filled in the first lens set.

The disclosure provides an image display method for a stereo display.The method includes providing a stereo display described above andletting a light beam which is from the display panel and has a firstpolarizing direction sequentially pass through the first polarizermodulator and the second polarizer modulator, so as to display an image.

The disclosure provides an image display method for a stereo display.The method includes providing the stereo display described above. When a2D image is to be displayed, a light beam emitted by the display paneland having a first polarizing direction is rotated into a light beamhaving a second polarizing direction after passing through the firstpolarizer modulator, and the light beam having the second polarizingdirection retains the second polarizing direction after passing throughthe second polarizer modulator, wherein the light beam having the secondpolarizing direction is not substantially refracted when passing throughthe birefringent material of the second polarizer modulator, so as todisplay the 2D image. When an image in a 3D portrait display mode is tobe displayed, the light beam emitted by the display panel and having thefirst polarizing direction is rotated into the light beam having thesecond polarizing direction after passing through the first polarizermodulator, and the light beam having the second polarizing direction isrotated into the light beam having the first polarizing direction afterpassing through the second polarizer modulator, wherein the light beamhaving the first polarizing direction is refracted when passing throughthe birefringent material of the second polarizer modulator, so as todisplay the image in the 3D portrait display mode. When an image in a 3Dlandscape display mode is to be displayed, the light beam emitted by thedisplay panel and having the first polarizing direction substantiallyretains the first polarizing direction after passing through the firstpolarizer modulator, and the light beam having the first polarizingdirection is rotated into the light beam having the second polarizingdirection after passing through the second polarizer modulator, whereinthe light beam having the second polarizing direction is refracted whenpassing through the birefringent material of the second polarizermodulator, so as to display the image in the 3D landscape display mode.

In summary, the stereo display according to the disclosure utilizes thefirst polarizer modulator and the second polarizer modulator inconjunction, and the birefringent material is disposed in the lens setof the second polarizer modulator. Through the above arrangement, thedisplay is capable of providing one of the 2D display mode, the 3Dportrait display mode, and the 3D landscape display mode.

In order to make the aforementioned and other objects, features andadvantages of the disclosure comprehensible, embodiments accompaniedwith figures are described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitutea part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of thedisclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stereo display accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a first lens set and a secondlens set in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 1 in a 2Ddisplay mode.

FIG. 3B is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 1 in a 3Dportrait display mode.

FIG. 3C is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 1 in a 3Dlandscape display mode.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stereo display accordingto another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 4 in the 2Ddisplay mode.

FIG. 5B is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 4 in the 3Dportrait display mode.

FIG. 5C is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 4 in the 3Dlandscape display mode.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second polarizermodulator in a stereo display according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second polarizermodulator in a stereo display according to another embodiment of thedisclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stereo display accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the stereodisplay according to the present embodiment includes a display panel100, a first polarizer modulator 200, and a second polarizer modulator300.

The display panel 100 includes a pixel array substrate 101, an oppositesubstrate 104, and a display medium 102. The pixel array substrate 101includes a plurality of scan lines (not shown), a plurality of datalines (not shown), and a plurality of pixels structures (not shown).Each of the pixel structures has an active device (not shown) and apixel electrode (not shown). The active device may be a bottom gate typethin film transistor (TFT) or a top gate type TFT and includes a gate, achannel, a source, and a drain. The gate is electrically connected tothe scan line. The source is electrically connected to the data line.The channel is between the source and the drain. The opposite substrate104 is opposite to the pixel array substrate 101. The opposite substrate104 may be a blank substrate or a substrate which has an electrode layer(not shown) disposed thereon. In addition, a color filter array (notshown) and a shielding pattern layer (not shown) may be further disposedon the opposite substrate 104. The display medium 102 is disposedbetween the pixel array substrate 101 and the opposite substrate 104.The display medium 102 may include liquid crystal molecules, anelectrophoretic display medium, or another suitable medium.

According to the present embodiment, the display panel 100 may furtherinclude at least one polarizer 106 and 108 respectively disposed on asurface of the pixel array substrate 100 and a surface of the oppositesubstrate 108. In addition, a backlight module 110 is further includedon a back side of the display panel 100, so as to provide light to thedisplay panel 100.

The first polarizer modulator 200 is disposed above the display panel100. According to the present embodiment, the first polarizer modulator200 includes a first substrate 202, a second substrate 210 opposite tothe first substrate, and a polarization material layer 206 between thefirst substrate 202 and the second substrate 210. The first substrate202 and the second substrate 210 may be transparent rigid substrates ortransparent flexible substrates. The polarization material layer 206 maycomprises a liquid crystal material (such as twisted liquid crystalmaterial, vertical alignment liquid crystal material or other typeliquid crystal material) or other birefringence material, which can becontrolled/modified by external field (like electric/magnetic field),for providing essential retardation for rotate the polarization of thelight. In addition, at least one of a first electrode 204 and a second206 is disposed on the first substrate 202 or/and the second substrate210. In the embodiment, the first electrode 204 is disposed on the firstsubstrate 202 and the second electrode 208 is disposed on the secondsubstrate 210 for illustration, but it does not limit thereto.

According to an embodiment, both the first electrode 204 and the secondelectrode 208 are unpatterned electrode layers. In other words,according to the present embodiment, when voltages are applied to thefirst electrode 204 and the second electrode 208, twisting of the liquidcrystal layer 206 is controlled in a full-scale manner.

According to another embodiment, the first electrode 204 has a firstelectrode pattern, and the second electrode 208 has a second electrodepattern. The first electrode pattern of the first electrode 204 and thesecond electrode pattern of the second electrode 208 may each be astriped pattern and may cross over each other, so that the firstpolarizer modulator 200 forms a passive liquid crystal cell. The firstpolarizer modulator 200 may also be designed as an active liquid crystalcell, meaning that the first electrode 204 or the second electrode 208is designed as an electrode layer which has active devices. If the firstpolarizer modulator 200 is a passive liquid crystal cell or an activeliquid crystal cell,) the polarization material layer 206 (such asliquid crystal material) in a partial region of the first polarizermodulator 200 is controllable. Therefore, the display according to thepresent embodiment is capable of partially displaying 3D images.

Moreover, the second polarizer modulator 300 is disposed above the firstpolarizer modulator 200. The second polarizer modulator 300 includes afirst lens set 320, a second lens set 330, a lower electrode 304, anupper electrode 316, a polarization material 310, and birefringentmaterials 308 and 312. According to the embodiments of the disclosure,the birefringent materials 308 and 312 include, for example, liquidcrystal materials or other birefringence material, which can becontrolled/modified by external field (like electric/magnetic field),for providing essential retardation for rotate the polarization of thelight. However, the disclosure is not limited to this configuration;other suitable materials may also be used. The polarization material 310includes, for example, liquid crystal materials (such as twisted liquidcrystal material, vertical alignment liquid crystal material or othertype liquid crystal material) or other birefringence material, which canbe controlled/modified by external field (like electric/magnetic field),for providing essential retardation for rotate the polarization of thelight.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first lens set 320 isformed by a first supporting substrate 302 and a first lens structure306 disposed on the first supporting substrate 302. The second lens set330 is formed by a second supporting substrate 318 and a second lensstructure 314 disposed on the second supporting substrate 318. The firstlens structure 306 and the second lens structure 314 are, for example,formed by resin having groove structures 306 a and 314 a. The resin is,for example, ultraviolet light-curing resin, thermal curing resin, oranother suitable type of resin. In addition, each of the first lensstructure 306 and the second lens structure 314 includes a plurality ofcolumnar lens structures. The plurality of columnar lens structures arethe plurality of columnar groove structures 306 a and 314 a formed inthe resin. In particular, the first lens set 320 and the second lens set330 are disposed opposite to each other, and an angle between anextending direction of the first lens structure 306 of the first lensset 320 and an extending direction of the second lens structure 314 ofthe second lens set 330 is not 180 degrees, as shown in FIG. 2. In otherwords, the extension direction of the columnar lens structures 306(columnar groove structures 306 a) and the extension direction of thecolumnar lens structures 314 (columnar groove structures 314 a) aredifferent.

Furthermore, the birefringent materials 308 and 312 are filled in thefirst lens structure 306 (columnar groove structures 306 a) of the firstlens set 320 and in the second lens structure 314 (columnar groovestructures 314 a) of the second lens set 330. Polymer molecules 308 a inthe birefringent material 308 are filled in the first lens structure 306(columnar groove structures 306 a) of the first lens set 320 in a fixedarrangement, and polymer molecules 312 a in the birefringent material312 are filled in the second lens structure 314 (columnar groovestructures 314 a) of the second lens set 330 in a fixed arrangement.According to the present embodiment, the polymer molecules 308 a in thebirefringent material 308 lie horizontally in the first lens structure306. Similarly, the polymer molecules 312 a in the birefringent material312 lie horizontally in the second lens structure 314. Hence, thebirefringent materials 308 and 312 have specific alignment directions(such as an alignment direction of the X direction). According to theembodiments of the disclosure, the polymer molecules 308 a and 312 ainclude, for example, liquid crystal polymer molecules or otherbirefringence material, which can be controlled/modified by externalfield (like electric/magnetic field), for providing essentialretardation for rotate the polarization of the light. However, thedisclosure is not limited to this configuration; other suitablematerials may also be used.

It should be noted that according to the present embodiment, the polymermolecules 308 a and 312 a in the birefringent materials 308 and 312 havea first axial refractive index (no) and a second axial refractive index(ne). The first axial refractive index (no) may be called a short axialrefractive index of the liquid crystal molecules, and the second axialrefractive index (ne) may be called a long axial refractive index of theliquid crystal molecules. A refractive index of the first lens structure306 (refractive index of the resin) is equal to the first axialrefractive index (no) of the polymer molecules 308 a of the birefringentmaterial 308, and a refractive index of the second lens structure 314(refractive index of the resin) is equal to the first axial refractiveindex (no) of the polymer molecules 312 a of the birefringent material312.

Moreover, in the second polarizer modulator 300, the lower electrode 304may be disposed on a surface of the first lens set 320, and the upperelectrode 316 is disposed on a surface of the second lens set 330.According to the present embodiment, the lower electrode 304 is disposedbetween the first supporting substrate 302 and the first lens structure306, and the upper electrode 316 is disposed between the secondsupporting substrate 318 and the second lens structure 314.

Similarly, according to an embodiment, both the upper electrode 316 andthe lower electrode 304 are unpatterned electrode layers. In otherwords, according to the present embodiment, when voltages are applied tothe upper electrode 316 and the lower electrode 304, the polarizationmaterial 310 is controlled in a full-scale manner.

According to another embodiment, the lower electrode 304 has a lowerelectrode pattern, and the upper electrode 316 has an upper electrodepattern. The lower electrode pattern of the lower electrode 304 and theupper electrode pattern of the upper electrode 316 may each be a stripedpattern and may cross over each other, so that the second polarizermodulator 300 forms a passive liquid crystal cell. The second polarizermodulator 300 may also designed as an active liquid crystal cell,meaning that the lower electrode 304 or the upper electrode 316 isdesigned as an electrode layer which has an active device. If the secondpolarizer modulator 300 is a passive liquid crystal cell or an activeliquid crystal cell, the polarization material 310 in the secondpolarizer modulator 300 is controllable. Therefore, the displayaccording to the present embodiment is capable of partially displaying3D images.

It is noted that in the second polarizer modulator 300 has the upperelectrode 316 and the lower electrode 304 for clearly description.However, in another embodiment, the second polarizer modulator 300 maymerely has the upper electrode 316 or the lower electrode 304 to controlthe polarization material 310.

An image display method of the stereo display according to thedisclosure includes providing one of the stereo displays according tothe embodiments of the disclosure, and letting a light beam which isfrom the display panel and has a first polarizing direction sequentiallypass through the first polarizer modulator and the second polarizermodulator, so as to display an image, wherein the image is a 2D image, a3D portrait display mode image, or a 3D landscape display mode image.The following describes the image display method of the stereo displayin FIG. 1. In order to describe the image display method of the stereodisplay, the polarization materials in the first polarizer modulator andthe second polarizer modulator are twisted liquid crystal materials forexample. However, it does not limit thereto.

2D Display Mode

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 1 in a 2Ddisplay mode. Please refer to FIG. 3A. When a 2D image is to bedisplayed by the display, no voltage is applied to the first polarizermodulator 200, so that the liquid crystal layer 206 is maintained in atwisted arrangement state, and a voltage is applied to the secondpolarizer modulator 300, so that the polarization material 310 is in annon-twisted arrangement state. According to the present embodiment, theliquid crystal layer 206 of the first polarizer modulator 200 and thepolarization material 310 of the second polarizer modulator 300 adoptstwisted nematic liquid crystal molecules, and an operating voltagethereof may be 3.3 V or 5 V. However, the types of the liquid crystallayer 206 of the first polarizer modulator 200 and the polarizationmaterial 310 of the second liquid crystal and the value of the operatingvoltage thereof are not limited in this disclosure. According to anotherembodiment, another type of liquid crystal material may be adopted andanother suitable operating voltage may be utilized.

First, the display panel 100 emits a light beam L1 which has a firstpolarizing direction. In other words, after the light emitted by thebacklight module 110 is polarized and twisted by the polarizers 106 and108 of the display panel 100 and by the display medium 102, the emittedlight beam L1 has a first polarizing direction (such as a polarizingdirection parallel to the X direction).

Since the liquid crystal layer 206 in the first polarizer modulator 200is in a twisted arrangement state, the light beam L1 is rotated into alight beam L2 which has a second polarizing direction (such as apolarizing direction parallel to the Y direction) after passing throughthe first polarizer modulator 200.

Since the polarization material 310 in the second polarizer modulator300 is in an non-twisted arrangement state, the light beam L2 which hasthe second polarizing direction still retains the second polarizingdirection after passing through the second polarizer modulator 300.

In particular, the birefringent material 308 has an alignment direction(X direction alignment) of the first direction, and the refractive indexof the first lens structure 306 is equivalent to the first axialrefractive index (no) of the polymer molecules 308 a of the birefringentmaterial 308. Therefore, the light beam L2 which has the secondpolarizing direction is not refracted when passing through the firstlens structure 306 and the birefringent material 308 of the secondpolarizer modulator 300. In other words, the light beam L2 directlypasses through the first lens structure 306 and the birefringentmaterial 308 to become a light beam L3 which has the second polarizingdirection.

Since the polarization material 310 in the second polarizer modulator300 is in an non-twisted arrangement state, the light beam L3 which hasthe second polarizing direction still retains the second polarizingdirection after passing through the polarization material 310.

The birefringent material 312 has the alignment direction (X directionalignment) of the first direction, and the refractive index of thesecond lens structure 314 is equivalent to the first axial refractiveindex (no) of the polymer molecules 312 a of the birefringent material312. Therefore, the light beam L3 which has the second polarizingdirection is also not refracted when passing through the birefringentmaterial 312 and the second lens structure 314 of the second polarizermodulator 300. In other words, the light beam L3 directly passes throughthe birefringent material 312 the second lens structure 314 to become alight beam L4 which directly passes through the second polarizermodulator 300.

In the display mode shown in FIG. 3A, since the light beam L4 directlypasses through the second polarizer modulator 300 and is not refracted,the image viewed by the viewer is a 2D image.

3D Portrait Display Mode

FIG. 3B is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 1 in a 3Dportrait display mode. Please refer to FIG. 3B. When a 3D image is to bedisplayed by the display in the 3D portrait display mode, no voltage isapplied to the first polarizer modulator 200, so that the liquid crystallayer 206 is maintained in a twisted arrangement state, and no voltageis applied to the second polarizer modulator 300, so that thepolarization material 310 is maintained in a twisted arrangement state.

Similarly, the display panel 100 emits a light beam L1 which has a firstpolarizing direction (such as a polarizing direction parallel to the Xdirection).

Since the liquid crystal layer 206 in the first polarizer modulator 200is in the twisted arrangement state, the light beam L1 is rotated into alight beam L2 which has a second polarizing direction (such as apolarizing direction parallel to the Y direction) after passing throughthe first polarizer modulator 200.

Since the polarization material 310 in the second polarizer modulator300 is in also in the twisted arrangement state, the light beam L2 whichhas the second polarizing direction is rotated into having the firstpolarizing direction (such as the polarizing direction parallel to the Xdirection) after passing through the second polarizer modulator 300.

In particular, the birefringent material 308 has an alignment direction(X direction alignment) of the first direction, and the refractive indexof the first lens structure 306 is equivalent to the first axialrefractive index (no) of the polymer molecules 308 a of the birefringentmaterial 308. Therefore, the light beam L2 which has the secondpolarizing direction is not refracted when passing through the firstlens structure 306 and the birefringent material 308 of the secondpolarizer modulator 300. In other words, the light beam L2 directlypasses through the first lens structure 306 and the birefringentmaterial 308 to become a light beam L3 which has the second polarizingdirection.

When the light beam L3 which has the second polarizing direction passesthrough the polarization material 310, the light beam L3 is rotated intohaving the first polarizing direction (such as the polarizing directionparallel to the X direction).

Since the birefringent material 312 has the alignment direction (Xdirection alignment) of the first direction, the light beam L3 which hasthe first polarizing direction is refracted when passing through thebirefringent material 312 and the second lens structure 314 due to thedifference between the second axial refractive index (ne) of the polymermolecules 312 a of the birefringent material 312 and the refractiveindex of the second lens structure 314. In other words, after the lightbeam L3 passes through the birefringent material 312 and the second lensstructure 314, the light beam L3 becomes a refracted light beam L4 whichpasses through the second polarizer modulator 300.

In the display mode shown in FIG. 3B, since the light beam L4 passesthrough the second polarizer modulator 300 as a refracted light beam,the image viewed by the viewer is a 3D image.

3D Landscape Display Mode

FIG. 3C is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 1 in a 3Dlandscape display mode. Please refer to FIG. 3C. When a 3D image is tobe displayed by the display in the 3D landscape display mode, a voltageis applied to the first polarizer modulator 200, so that the liquidcrystal layer 206 is in an non-twisted arrangement state, and no voltageis applied to the second polarizer modulator 300, so that thepolarization material 310 is maintained in a twisted arrangement state.

Similarly, the display panel 100 emits a light beam L1 which has a firstpolarizing direction (such as a polarizing direction parallel to the Xdirection).

Since the liquid crystal layer 206 in the first polarizer modulator 200is in the non-twisted arrangement state, the light beam L1 maintains thefirst polarizing direction (such as the polarizing direction parallel tothe X direction) after passing through the first polarizer modulator200.

Since the polarization material 310 of the second polarizer modulator300 is in the twisted arrangement state, the light beam L2 which has thefirst polarizing direction is rotated into having a second polarizingdirection (such as a polarizing direction parallel to the Y direction)after passing through the second polarizer modulator 300.

Since the birefringent material 308 has the alignment direction (Xdirection alignment) of the first direction, the light beam L2 which hasthe first polarizing direction is refracted after passing through thefirst lens structure 306 and birefringent material 308 of the secondpolarizer modulator 300 due to the difference between the refractiveindex of the first lens structure 306 and the second axial refractiveindex (ne) of the polymer molecules 308 a of the birefringent material308. In other words, the light beam L2 becomes a refracted light beam L3after passing through the first lens structure 306 and the birefringentmaterial 308.

The light beam L3 is rotated into having a second polarizing direction(such as the polarizing direction parallel to the Y direction) afterpassing through the polarization material 310.

The birefringent material 312 has the alignment direction (X directionalignment) of the first direction, and the refractive index of thesecond lens structure 314 is equivalent to the first axial refractiveindex (no) of the polymer molecules 312 a of the birefringent material312. Therefore, the light beam L3 which has the second polarizingdirection is not refracted when passing through the birefringentmaterial 312 and the second lens structure 314 of the second polarizermodulator 300. In other words, the light beam L3 passes through thebirefringent material 312 and the second lens structure 314 in anoriginal traveling direction thereof, and passes through the secondpolarizer modulator 300 in the original traveling direction, therebybecoming a refracted light beam L4 which has the second polarizingdirection.

In the display mode shown in FIG. 3C, since the light beam L4 passesthrough the second polarizer modulator 300 as a refracted light beam,the image viewed by the viewer is a 3D image.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stereo display accordingto another embodiment of the disclosure. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, so that elements similarto those in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are represented by the samereference numerals and are not repeatedly described. A differencebetween the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and the embodiment shown in FIG.1 is that no birefringent material is filled in the lens structure 306of the second polarizer modulator 300; only the birefringent material312 is filled in the second lens structure 314. In other words, in thefirst lens set 320, no birefringent material is filled in the columnarlens structures (columnar groove structures) of the first lens structure306, so that the polarization material 310 directly contacts the firstlens structure 306.

According to the present embodiment, since no birefringent material isfilled in the first lens structure 306 of the second polarizer modulator300, the polarization material 310 filled in the first lens structure306 is a medium that determines whether a light beam is refracted whenpassing through the first lens structure 306. In other words, accordingto the present embodiment, the liquid crystal molecules in thepolarization material 310 have the first axial refractive index (no) andthe second axial refractive index (ne). In particular, the refractiveindex of the first lens structure 306 is equivalent to the first axialrefractive index (no) of the polarization material 310.

According to another embodiment (not shown in the drawings) of thedisclosure, it may alternatively be that no birefringent material isfilled in the second lens structure of the second polarizer modulator;only the birefringent material is filled in the first lens structure. Inother words, in the first lens set 320, no birefringent material isfilled in the columnar lens structures (columnar groove structures) ofthe second lens structure. According to the present embodiment, therefractive index of the second lens structure is equivalent to the firstaxial refractive index (no) of the polarization material.

In other words, in the second polarizer modulator of the displayaccording to the disclosure, the polymer material layer may be filled inthe first lens set, the second lens set, or in both the first and secondlens sets. Similarly, the following describes the image display methodof the stereo display in FIG. 4.

2D Display Mode

FIG. 5A is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 4 in a 2Ddisplay mode. Please refer to FIG. 5A. When a 2D image is to bedisplayed by the display, no voltage is applied to the first polarizermodulator 200, so that the liquid crystal layer 206 is maintained in atwisted arrangement state, and a voltage is applied to the secondpolarizer modulator 300, so that the polarization material 310 is in annon-twisted arrangement state.

The display panel 100 emits a light beam L1 which has a first polarizingdirection (such as a polarizing direction parallel to the X direction).

Afterwards, since the liquid crystal layer 206 in the first polarizermodulator 200 is in a twisted arrangement state, the light beam L1 isrotated into a light beam L2 which has a second polarizing direction(such as a polarizing direction parallel to the Y direction) afterpassing through the first polarizer modulator 200.

Since the polarization material 310 of the second polarizer modulator300 is in the non-twisted arrangement state, the light beam L2 which hasthe second polarizing direction still retains the second polarizingdirection after passing through the second polarizer modulator 300.

In particular, since the first lens structure 306 has an alignmentdirection (extending towards the X direction) of the first direction,the polarization material 310 which is filled in the first lensstructure 306 has the alignment direction (X direction alignment) of thefirst direction. In addition, the refractive index of the first lensstructure 306 is equivalent to the first axial refractive index (no) ofthe polarization material 310. Therefore, the light beam L2 which hasthe second polarizing direction is not refracted when passing throughthe first lens structure 306 of the second polarizer modulator 300 andthe polarization material 310 filled in the first lens structure 306. Inother words, the light beam L2 directly passes through the first lensstructure 306 to become a light beam L3 which has the second polarizingdirection.

Since the polarization material 310 in the second polarizer modulator300 is in the non-twisted arrangement state, the light beam L3 which hasthe second polarizing direction still retains the second polarizingdirection after passing through the polarization material 310.

The birefringent material 312 has the alignment direction (X directionalignment) of the first direction, and the refractive index of thesecond lens structure 314 is equivalent to the first axial refractiveindex (no) of the polymer molecules 312 a of the birefringent material312. Therefore, the light beam L3 which has the second polarizingdirection is not refracted when passing through the birefringentmaterial 312 and the second lens structure 314 of the second polarizermodulator 300. In other words, the light beam L3 directly passes throughthe birefringent material 312 the second lens structure 314 to become alight beam L4 which directly passes through the second polarizermodulator 300.

In the display mode shown in FIG. 5A, since the light beam L4 directlypasses through the second polarizer modulator 300 and is not refracted,the image viewed by the viewer is a 2D image.

3D Portrait Display Mode

FIG. 5B is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 4 in a 3Dportrait display mode. Please refer to FIG. 5B. When a 3D image is to bedisplayed by the display in the 3D portrait display mode, no voltage isapplied to the first polarizer modulator 200, so that the liquid crystallayer 206 is maintained in a twisted arrangement state, and no voltageis applied to the second polarizer modulator 300, so that thepolarization material 310 is maintained in a twisted arrangement state.

Similarly, the display panel 100 emits a light beam L1 which has a firstpolarizing direction (such as a polarizing direction parallel to the Xdirection).

Since the liquid crystal layer 206 in the first polarizer modulator 200is in the twisted arrangement state, the light beam L1 is rotated into alight beam L2 which has a second polarizing direction (such as apolarizing direction parallel to the Y direction) after passing throughthe first polarizer modulator 200.

Since the polarization material 310 in the second polarizer modulator300 is also in the twisted arrangement state, the light beam L2 whichhas the second polarizing direction is rotated into having the firstpolarizing direction (such as the polarizing direction parallel to the Xdirection) after passing through the second polarizer modulator 300.

In particular, since the first lens structure 306 has an alignmentdirection (X direction alignment) of the first direction, thepolarization material 310 which is filled in the first lens structure306 has the alignment direction (X direction alignment) of the firstdirection. In addition, the refractive index of the first lens structure306 is equivalent to the first axial refractive index (no) of thepolarization material 310. Therefore, the light beam L2 which has thesecond polarizing direction is not refracted when passing through thefirst lens structure 306 of the second polarizer modulator 300 and thepolarization material 310 in the first lens structure 306. In otherwords, the light beam L2 directly passes through the first lensstructure 306 to become a light beam L3 which has the second polarizingdirection.

The light beam L3 which has the second polarizing direction is rotatedinto having the first polarizing direction (such as the polarizingdirection parallel to the X direction) when passing through thepolarization material 310.

Since the birefringent material 312 has the alignment direction (Xdirection alignment) of the first direction, the light beam L3 which hasthe first polarizing direction is refracted when passing through thebirefringent material 312 and the second lens structure 314 due to thedifference between the second axial refractive index (ne) of the polymermolecules 312 a of the birefringent material 312 and the refractiveindex of the second lens structure 314. In other words, after the lightbeam L3 passes through the birefringent material 312 and the second lensstructure 314, the light beam L3 becomes a refracted light beam L4 whichpasses through the second polarizer modulator 300.

In the display mode shown in FIG. 5B, since the light beam L4 passesthrough the second polarizer modulator 300 as a refracted light beam,the image viewed by the viewer is a 3D image.

3D Landscape Display Mode

FIG. 5C is a schematic view of the stereo display in FIG. 4 in a 3Dlandscape display mode. Please refer to FIG. 5C. When a 3D image is tobe displayed by the display in the 3D landscape display mode, a voltageis applied to the first polarizer modulator 200, so that the liquidcrystal layer 206 is in an non-twisted arrangement state, and no voltageis applied to the second polarizer modulator 300, so that thepolarization material 310 is maintained in a twisted arrangement state.

The display panel 100 emits a light beam L1 which has a first polarizingdirection (such as a polarizing direction parallel to the X direction).

Since the liquid crystal layer 206 in the first polarizer modulator 200is in the non-twisted arrangement state, the light beam L1 becomes alight beam L2 which has the first polarizing direction (such as thepolarizing direction parallel to the X direction) after passing throughthe first polarizer modulator 200.

Since the polarization material 310 in the second polarizer modulator300 is in the twisted arrangement state, the light beam L2 which has thefirst polarizing direction is rotated into having a second polarizingdirection (such as a polarizing direction parallel to the Y direction)after passing through the second polarizer modulator 300.

In particular, since the first lens structure 306 has an alignmentdirection (X direction alignment) of the first direction, thepolarization material 310 which is filled in the first lens structure306 also has the alignment direction (X direction alignment) of thefirst direction. Therefore, the light beam L2 which has the firstpolarizing direction is refracted when passing through the first lensstructure 306 of the second polarizer modulator 300 due to thedifference between the refractive index of the first lens structure 306and the second axial refractive index (ne) of the polymer molecules ofthe polarization material 310. In other words, the light beam L2 becomesa refracted light beam L3 after passing through the first lens structure306 and the polarization material 310 of the first lens structure 306.

The light beam L3 is rotated into having the second polarizing direction(such as the polarizing direction parallel to the Y direction) afterpassing through the polarization material 310.

The birefringent material 312 has the alignment direction (X directionalignment) of the first direction, and the refractive index of thesecond lens structure 314 is equivalent to the first axial refractiveindex (no) of the polymer molecules 312 a of the birefringent material312. Therefore, the light beam L3 which has the second polarizingdirection is not refracted when passing through the birefringentmaterial 312 and the second lens structure 314 of the second polarizermodulator 300. In other words, the light beam L3 passes through thebirefringent material 312 and the second lens structure 314 in anoriginal traveling direction thereof, and passes through the secondpolarizer modulator 300 in the original traveling direction, therebybecoming a refracted light beam L4 which has the second polarizingdirection.

In the display mode shown in FIG. 5C, since the light beam L4 passesthrough the second polarizer modulator 300 as a refracted light beam,the image viewed by the viewer is a 3D image.

According to the above embodiments, the upper electrode 316 in thesecond polarizer modulator 300 is disposed between the second supportingsubstrate 318 and the second lens structure 314, and the lower electrode304 is disposed between the first supporting substrate 302 and the firstlens structure 306. However, the disclosure is not limited to thisconfiguration. According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, thelower electrode 304 may be disposed on an outer surface of the firstsupporting substrate 302, and the upper electrode 316 may be disposed onan outer surface of the second supporting substrate 318. Moreover, asshown in FIG. 7, the lower electrode 304 may be disposed between thefirst lens structure 306 and the polarization material 310, and theupper electrode 316 may be disposed between the second lens structure314 and the polarization material 310.

In summary, the stereo display according to the disclosure utilizes thefirst polarizer modulator and the second polarizer modulator inconjunction, and the birefringent material is disposed in the lens setof the second polarizer modulator. Through the above arrangement, thedisplay is capable of displaying in the 2D display mode, the 3D portraitdisplay mode, and the 3D landscape display mode.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosure withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of theforegoing, it is intended that the disclosure cover modifications andvariations of this disclosure provided they fall within the scope of thefollowing claims and their equivalents.

1. A stereo display, comprising: a display panel; a first polarizermodulator, disposed above the display panel; a second polarizermodulator, disposed above the first polarizer modulator, wherein thesecond polarizer modulator comprises: a first lens set; a second lensset, wherein an angle is included between an extending direction of thefirst lens set and an extending direction of the second lens set, andthe angle is not equivalent to 0 or 180 degrees; a polarization materialdisposed between the first lens set and the second lens set; and a firstbirefringent material, filled in the first lens set.
 2. The stereodisplay as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an upper electrode anda lower electrode, respectively disposed on the first lens set and thesecond lens set.
 3. The stereo display as claimed in claim 2, whereineach of the upper electrode and the lower electrode of the secondpolarizer modulator is an unpatterned electrode layer.
 4. The stereodisplay as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper electrode has an upperelectrode pattern, and the lower electrode has a lower electrodepattern.
 5. The stereo display as claimed in claim 1, further comprisinga second birefringent material filled in the second lens set.
 6. Thestereo display as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the first lens set isformed by a first supporting substrate and a first lens structuredisposed on the first supporting substrate; and the second lens set isformed by a second supporting substrate and a second lens structuredisposed on the second supporting substrate.
 7. The stereo display asclaimed in claim 6, wherein: the first birefringent material has a firstaxial refractive index (no) and a second axial refractive index (ne); arefractive index of the first lens structure is equivalent to the firstaxial refractive index (no) of the first birefringent material, and arefractive index of the second lens structure is equivalent to the firstaxial refractive index (no) of the first birefringent material.
 8. Thestereo display as claimed in claim 6, wherein a material of the firstlens structure and the second lens structure comprises ultravioletlight-curing resin.
 9. The stereo display as claimed in claim 6, whereinthe lower electrode is disposed on an outer surface of the firstsupporting substrate, is disposed between the first supporting substrateand the first lens structure, or is disposed between the first lensstructure and the polarization material.
 10. The stereo display asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the upper electrode is disposed on an outersurface of the second supporting substrate, is disposed between thesecond supporting substrate and the second lens structure, or isdisposed between the second lens structure and the polarizationmaterial.
 11. The stereo display as claimed in claim 6, wherein each ofthe first lens structure and the second lens structure comprises aplurality of columnar lens structures.
 12. The stereo display as claimedin claim 6, wherein the polarization material has a first axialrefractive index (no) and a second axial refractive index (ne); arefractive index of the first lens structure is equivalent to the firstaxial refractive index (no) of the polarization material, or arefractive index of the second lens structure is equivalent to the firstaxial refractive index (no) of the polarization material.
 13. The stereodisplay as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first polarizer modulatorcomprises: a first substrate, wherein a first electrode is disposed onthe first substrate; a second substrate, wherein a second electrode isdisposed on the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer, disposedbetween the first substrate and the second substrate.
 14. The stereodisplay as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the first electrode andthe second electrode is an unpatterned electrode layer.
 15. The stereodisplay as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first electrode has a firstelectrode pattern, and the second electrode has a second electrodepattern.
 16. The stereo display as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedisplay panel comprises: a pixel array substrate; an opposite substrate;a display medium, disposed between the pixel array substrate and theopposite substrate; and at least one polarizer, disposed on at least oneof the pixel array substrate and the opposite substrate.
 17. An imagedisplay method for a stereo display, comprising: providing a stereodisplay as claimed in claim 1; when a 2D image is to be displayed,rotating a light beam from the display panel having a first polarizingdirection into a light beam having a second polarizing direction afterpassing through the first polarizer modulator, and making the light beamhaving the second polarizing direction retain the second polarizingdirection after passing through the second polarizer modulator, whereinthe light beam having the second polarizing direction is notsubstantially refracted when passing through the birefringent materialof the second polarizer modulator, so as to display the 2D image; whenan image in a 3D portrait display mode is to be displayed, rotating thelight beam emitted by the display panel and having the first polarizingdirection into the light beam having the second polarizing directionafter passing through the first polarizer modulator, and rotating thelight beam having the second polarizing direction into the light beamhaving the first polarizing direction after passing through the secondpolarizer modulator, wherein the light beam having the first polarizingdirection is refracted when passing through the birefringent material ofthe second polarizer modulator, so as to display the image in the 3Dportrait display mode; and when an image in a 3D landscape display modeis to be displayed, making the light beam emitted by the display paneland having the first polarizing direction substantially retain the firstpolarizing direction after passing through the first polarizermodulator, and rotating the light beam having the first polarizingdirection into the light beam having the second polarizing directionafter passing through the second polarizer modulator, wherein the lightbeam having the second polarizing direction is refracted when passingthrough the birefringent material of the second polarizer modulator, soas to display the image in the 3D landscape display mode.
 18. The methodas claimed in claim 17, wherein when the 2D image is to be displayed, novoltage is applied to the first polarizer modulator, so that the liquidcrystal layer is substantially in a twisted arrangement state, and avoltage is applied to the second polarizer modulator, so that thepolarization material is substantially in an non-twisted arrangementstate, and wherein when the image in the 3D portrait display mode is tobe displayed, no voltage is applied to the first polarizer modulator, sothat the liquid crystal layer is substantially in a twisted arrangementstate, and no voltage is applied to the second polarizer modulator, sothat the polarization material is substantially in the twistedarrangement state.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein whenthe 2D image is to be displayed, no voltage is applied to the firstpolarizer modulator, so that the liquid crystal layer is substantiallyin a twisted arrangement state, and a voltage is applied to the secondpolarizer modulator, so that the polarization material is substantiallyin an non-twisted arrangement state, and wherein when the image in the3D landscape display mode is to be displayed, a voltage is applied tothe first polarizer modulator, so that the liquid crystal layer issubstantially in an non-twisted arrangement state, and no voltage isapplied to the second polarizer modulator, so that the polarizationmaterial is substantially in a twisted arrangement state.
 20. An imagedisplay method for a stereo display, comprising: providing a stereodisplay as claimed in claim 1; and letting a light beam having a firstpolarizing direction sequentially pass through the first polarizermodulator and the second polarizer modulator, so as to display an image,wherein the image is a 2D image, an image in a 3D portrait display mode,or an image in a 3D landscape display mode.